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After The Crossfire - UFC 161: Evans vs Henderson

Kenai Andrews

Published: June 16, 2013 - 10:18 AM

Updated: June 16, 2013 - 11:03 AM

It wasn’t his best performance in the octagon, but “Suga” Rashad Evans will take it.

Evans defeated Dan Henderson via split decison in the main event of UFC of 161 last night in Winnipeg‘s MTS Centre. Evans used a late surge in the third round, dropping Henderosn with some strikes after a cautious first and second round.

Henderson buckled Evans with some shots in the early rounds, but was unable to otherwise move in to land his big H-Bomb overhand right. “I allowed it to go to the judges again,” he said afterwards at the post-fight press conference.

It was a good night for the Canadian fighters on the card as all but London’sSam Stout leaving victorious.

Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.. Image courtesy Steve Bartlett

Wiseman: Jabouin came out and surprised by going for takedowns. It was expected for him to use his standup, given the ground game of Pague. Pague may have been thrown off by this, but he was very active going for seven submissions throughout the fight. Unfortunately, it was one of those fights where it went the distance and based on what one deems as more dominant the fight could have gone either way. I had Pague due to his ability to put Jabouin in dangerous positions, but the judges gave it via split-decision to Jabouin. Pague realistically needed to be more dominant as the question comes up, will he be cut? Being unable to produce a win may put him out of the organization.

Wiseman: The key to success for Clarke was constant movement and superior conditioning. Clarke’s ability to use kicks, jabs, knees and foot stomps forced Maguire to defend and never a chance to get his game going. In the last round he secured back control, but again there never seemed to be any urgency from Maguire to go for it. Even though it was clear that Clarke was winning, Maguire just wasn’t able to get things going, or even keep up with the movement and pace of Clarke. Maguire tonight showed that he is able to take his opponents down and get into positions, but he needs to get more going in his striking.

EDWIN FIGUEROA VS ROLAND DELORME

Roland Delorme defeats Edwin Figueroa in a bantamweight bout during UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday June 15, 2013.

WINNER: ROLAND DELORME VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: Delorme came out in a hurry, scored a takedown and it was all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) from there. Delorme transitioned from back control, to arm bar, to triangle, crucifix, etc. Figueroa defended, but Delorme’s ability to transition from one dangerous position to another was too much for Figueroa but to his credit never showed any signs of quitting. He constantly tried to get things standing and had moments when he showed his ground-and-pound, but ultimately wasn’t able to get enough of a game going to challenge Delorme.

SEAN PIERSON VS KENNY ROBERTSON

Welterweight Kenny Robertson lands a right hook on Sean Pierson during a fight at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday June 15, 2013.

WINNER: SEAN PIERSON VIA SPLIT DECISION

Wiseman: Pierson started strong and showed that he is able to grapple, defend takedowns and counter perfectly. Robertson showed that he is able to hang in there and grapple with dangerous submission. Pierson, while dominant in the first round, lost his zeal throughout the fight. Robertson was able to score takedowns in the second and third which, by my scoring, gave him a slight edge. However, Pierson showed superior striking and equal grappling which made the fight a close battle.

JAMES KRAUSE VS SAM STOUT

James Krause celebrates as he submits Sam Stout at UFC 161 in Winnipeg.

WINNER: JAMES KRAUSE VIA SUBMISSION

Wiseman: Krause was cool and calm in his debut and didn’t use too much energy in the first round. He used his reach to put together crafty moves. Stout had to work hard to close the gap and ended up getting punched or kicked in the face every time he entered the pocket. Stout showed good combinations, but Krause used his reach advantage to constantly keep Stout working, while Krause countered to a submission victory.

Tyron Woodley (R) connects to the head of Jake Shields with a reverse punch during their welterweight bout at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday June 15, 2013.

WINNER: JAKE SHUELDS VIA SPLIT DECISION

Wiseman: Boredom! It may have been thought that Woodley was conserving his energy because when he did strike or kick he hurt Shields. However, the “explode” moment never happened. Shields was able to win merely by pressing Woodley against the cage. Neither fighter did anything to show superiority over the other. Woodley stuffed 100% of Shields’ takedown attempts, but didn’t stay off the cage. Shields used his grappling in the clinch to squeeze out a win. That’s all.

120 WINNIPEG, CANADA – JUNE 15: (R-L) Shawn Jordan reacts after knocking out Pat Barry in their heavyweight fight during the UFC 161 event at the MTS Centre on June 15, 2013 in Winnipeg,

WINNER: SHAWN JORDAN VIA TKO

Wiseman: It was quick and dominant. Jordan caught Barry early in the first and started a flurry until the ref stepped in. Jordan showed aggression, power and the ability to finish against a powerful guy.

ALEXIS DAVIS VS ROSI SEXTON

Alexis Davis (L) and Rosi Sexton grapple at UFC 161 in Winnipeg.

WINNER: ALEXIS DAVIS VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: Davis may have been surprised by Sexton’s ability to throw punches while caught in a tight triangle. Sexton may have been surprised by the ground-and-pound of Davis in the second round. The final round however Davis was able to use her ground game to show control over a promising fighter.

Ryan Jimmo lays into Igor Pokrajac during during their light heavyweight bout at UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday June 15, 2013.

WINNER: RYAN JIMMO VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: The biggest factor in this fight was the wrestling of Jimmo. He had great success in his striking, but even furthering this success was his ability to keep Pokrajac on the mat. It was a boring fight, but Jimmo’s ability to grind out a win pointed out that Pokrajac needs to be able to get off his back against big fighters.

Stipe Miocic celebrates his heavyweight victory over Roy Nelson during UFC 161 in Winnipeg on Saturday June 15, 2013.

WINNER: STIPE MIOCIC VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION

Wiseman: Nelson has gone backwards in his training. Instead of evolving as a fighter, he is now a two dimensional fighter who is overly predictable. He has a ground game, but never uses it. His cardio usedto be better, but after knocking people out within the first five minutes even that has gone downhill. Miocic was smart to avoid his overhand right, put together combinations and showed powerful counters. Definitely someone that could be a presence in the heavyweight division. Nelson needs to get back to training and diversifyhimself.

MAIN EVENT

RASHAD EVANS VS DAN HENDERSON

Rashad Evans (L) punches Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in Winnipeg.

WINNER: RASHAD EVANS VIA SPLIT DECISION

Wiseman: All the hype and action that was expected turned out to be a disappointment. Both fighters fought in such a reserved way that made for very little action. Henderson seemed to be using his jab to measure out distance for the H-Bomb, but the only real danger faced by Evans was in the first round. As expected, the movement of Evans kept Henderson chasing him and unable to properly set up his strikes.

Thank u Winnipeg! Great city and we had a blast. The hotel, restaurants, gym, arena, shop, etc, great town.